Join us Sept. 30, 6:30-7:30 pm for a free "town hall"-style Q&A with volunteers from the Open Democracy Action North Country Regional Democracy Team, and experts from Open Democracy Action's staff.  

The COVID-19 pandemic has made voting different this year, and we'd like to answer your questions about:

• How to register to vote in person, including what documents you need
• How to register to vote by mail
• The steps to voting by absentee ballot and deadlines you'll need to keep in mind
• Where and how to return your absentee ballot
• Can I trust the post office to deliver my ballot?
• Who can return my disabled mother's ballot? 
• Where do I go for more information?
• And more!

We'll include some pictures of what the absentee ballot components look like, and what are the frequently made mistakes with absentee.  We'll also discuss what to bring with you if you go to the polls so you are PREPARED and SAFE.  

RSVP BELOW, and an email will be sent with the Zoom video link information, and phone number and passcodes, should you wish to join by phone instead. 

New Hampshire friends: 

Tens of thousands of NH voters may be concerned enough about COVID-19 to NOT go to the polls this fall.  We're counting on your action to help the vote safely, protecting them, their families and our poll workers.

• The grid below has graphics and messages for you to use:
• A Facebook graphic and post text
• A Facebook profile picture to use, which folks will see every time you post
• An Instagram graphic and post text
• An email to send to your friends and family, or to groups to which you belong
• A Twitter post and graphic
• A poster for you to print out, or to order preprinted from us.

Thank you for this act of kindness to your fellow NH citizens, because no one should have to choose between their health and their right to vote!

The New Hampshire Democracy Report is a weekly letter sharing updates on democracy reform bills as they pass through the New Hampshire State House.

Here are recent newsletters in PDF:  

March 2, 2020 New Hampshire Democracy Report

Feb. 10, 2020 New Hampshire Democracy Report

Feb. 2, 2020  New Hampshire Democracy Report

We're combining two of our favorite actvities:   Singing and Social Action!

Announcing the 2020 Campaign Finance Corruption Chorus, sponsored by Open Democracy Action.   Our mission will be to sing "Corruption Carols" at campaign events in the last few weeks of the  2020 New Hampshire Primary, as well as carolling around Manchester where the national and international press hangs out.  

This will be a relaxed and FUN group with a humorous yet powerful message.    We're still working out the attire, but thinking we'll have matching warm hats and maybe scarves which will be provided to our singers. 

RSVP your interest by filling out the form below.   We're hoping to have our first rehearsal shortly.  

Thank you and hope to hear you soon!

Brian Beihl

Deputy Director, Open Democracy Action

603-620-8300

Thanks for considering being part of an Open Democracy Action Regional Democracy Team here in New Hampshire.   If you are outside of New Hampshire, there are other ways for you to help, but our regional teams are working in their towns and neighborhoods here in the Granite State only.

Open Democracy Action just launched its Regional Democracy Teams in November of 2019, and we're still sorting out the infrastructure and mission.   Your voice is important at this critical time as each team decides what activities are best within each region.       

Go to the Regional Democracy Teams sign-up page

Our organization, founded by New Hampshire campaign finance reformer Doris "Granny D" Haddock, who at 89 years old in 1999, set off on a walk across the United States to raise the alarm of how our campaign finance system was creating a system of legal bribery, particularly at the federal level.   She was a critical part of kindling nationwide support for the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill, which passed in 2002.   Granny D died in 2010, but unfortunately lived to see the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, which rendered her work for McCain-Feingold moot.  But Granny D remains a hero, not just here in New Hampshire, but for reformers all over the country, for showing what one ordinary person can do to make change.

Our Regional Democracy Teams will work around their areas on a variety of activities, but all of it related to strengthening our Democracy:

• Exhibiting at local fairs and festivals
• Walking or doing street theater in parades (We've done "SuperPAC Man" and "Senator Philmore Pockets" in past parades)
• Speaking to school, civic and religious groups about our issues
• Calling state reps when Democracy legislation is pending
• Writing letters to the editor in your area
• Talking with other activist groups, such as climate, pipeline, healthcare, or other groups which get blocked by Big Money interests.
• Hosting an annual Granny D Day walk on January 24th, or reading one of her speeches on the steps of your town hall.
• Do a screening of one of several money-in-politics movies at your local library
• and whatever else you can dream up to further our cause!

If you're ready to take action, go to our Regional Democracy Teams sign up page, confirm what region you're in, and sign up.   You'll be doing your part to help save our republic by getting our democracy back in the hands of the PEOPLE, not special interests or corporations.

As Granny D said, "Democracy isn't something we HAVE, it's something we DO!"

Time to Take Action!

House Concurs with Senate on Amendment for HB 706 Nonpartisan Redistricting Bill; Goes to Governor

Establishment of a nonpartisan redistricting commission moved a step closer with a bipartisan 208-137 division vote on HB 706 in the House on Thursday, it's last stop in the legislature.

That's with a total of 345 votes cast, and a 60% to 40% margin, short of the 66% that would be needed to override a veto from the governor. It is still unclear whether the governor will sign or veto the bill.  Many representatives were absent from the vote.

In May, a bipartisan compromise was reached to assure passage in the Senate and make the bill more palatable to Republicans. Thursday's  division vote does not record who cast the ballot for the concurrence vote, but it had originally passed the house in a 218-123 bipartisan vote, 64% to 36%.

Write or Call the Governor

Open Democracy Action has been urging voters to write to Governor Sununu to encourage him to sign the bill. Continued letters and calls to the governor, and letters to the editor to local papers are needed to convince him that the New Hampshire voters want fair voting districts, and it's in the best interest for both parties and for the State. Please do it soon!

Mail: (We recommend a personal letter)

Office of the Governor, State House, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301

Phone:

(603) 271-2121; (603) 271-7680 (fax)

Email:

Email the Governor's opinion email

LEGISLATION WE'RE WATCHING THIS TERM

For updates and descriptions of the other important democracy legislation this session, click on the links below.

Public funding

Redistricting and ending gerrymandering

Campaign reform

Money in politics

Questions? Want to Help?

Olivia Zink: olivia@opendemocracy.me; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: rick.bourdon@gmail.com; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: Brian@Beihl.org (603) 620-8300 (cell)

NH Becomes the 20^th State to Call for a 28^th Amendment Addressing Citizens United & Redistricting

The New Hampshire Senate passed HB 504 in a roll call vote along party lines Thursday. HB 504 compels our Congressional delegation to call for a 28^th amendment to the U.S. Constitution giving Congress the power to regulate money in politics, and exempting such regulation from violating free speech.

Governor Sununu has not signed the bill, but technically, he doesn't need to. According to the Council of State Legislators, resolutions like HB 504 serve to inform our federal representatives of the wishes of the state legislature, and the governor's signature is not needed. However, Congress must craft it's own language, have it passed by 2/3 majority of each house, then have that language ratified by 75% of the states with no changes to the language. The U.S. Constitution does not contain a provision requiring Congress to submit a proposed amendment upon request by some requisite number of states. It's a high bar, but it's been done 27 times before.

Congratulations to all the legislators, supporting organizations and to the many voters who wrote letters and made phone calls. Granny D is smiling.

HB 706 Passes House Committee – Again - Tuesday, Full House Amendment Affirmation Vote Thursday

The House Election Law committee voted Tuesday to concur with the Senate's bipartisan amendment compromise to HB 706, making the bill more acceptable to Republicans in the House & Senate, and hopefully, Governor Sununu. HB 706 creates a nonpartisan redistricting commission, but the Senate's wholesale changes to the bill needed review by the House Election Law after it passed by voice vote on May 23. A positive vote of the House sends the bill to Governor Sununu, where it is still unclear whether the governor will embrace the bipartisan bill. Supported by ODA.

It's Up to Governor Sununu to Shine a Light on Dark Money LLCs 

In the 2016 gubernatorial election, both Governor Chris Sununu and his opponent, Colin Van Ostern, received donations from LLCs. At that time, and as it remains, individuals could contribute unlimited funds to an LLC, and the LLC would make campaign donations it the LLCs name. Amounts were disclosed, but not the individuals making the donations. SB 156 would change this, requiring that both the individual donors and the amounts they contributed, would be disclosed to the Secretary of State. The bill passed in a full house division vote 212-139 last Wednesday and now awaits Governor Sununu's signature or veto. Supported by ODA

The University of Seattle Law Review published an excellent article by Brendan A. O’Neill about the New Hampshire governor's race and the LLC Loophole. It will add to your understanding of how this type of sleazy Dark Money works and how to fix it.
 

House Adopts Ban of Ratepayer Money for Lobbying

As expected, HB 206 passed the full Senate last week in a voice vote. The bill would prevent public utilities from passing on to customers some of their costs for lobbying and other political activity. Despite the almost universal support for the bill through the legislature, the Sununu family's close ties to the energy industry raise a question as to whether he'll sign the bill. Supported by ODA

House Passes SB 105 Inaugural Committee Bill

SB 105 passed in a bipartisan voice vote last Wednesday, setting new guidelines for reporting for inaugural committees. The bill tightens regulations for donors to inaugural committees, limiting maximum donations to $10,000, and requires receipts for money dispersed to family members – a response to questionable payments made to family members and campaign insiders in the last election. The Governor's office has since released a conflict of interest policy for the inaugural committee.

UPCOMING HEARINGS & COMMITTEE VOTES

Red = Open Democracy Action Priority Bill

After Tuesday's Election Law vote on HB 706, there are no remaining hearings on Democracy bills in the New Hampshire House or Senate.

THIS WEEK'S SESSIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE

The Senate will meet in session Thursday, June 13 at 10 a.m. in Senate chambers. The House will meet June 13 at 10 a.m. The last remaining significant democracy bill is HB 706, which faces a vote to concur with the Senate's amendment.

“Dear Governor Sununu . . .”

HB 706 should be heading to the Governor in the next few weeks. Send a postal letter now and ask him to sign HB 706! Remind him that in the big picture, both parties benefit from a level playing field, and more importantly, New Hampshire voters benefit from having sensible representation, not gerrymandering.

Governor Christopher T. Sununu, Office of the Governor, State House, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301.

Have you Heard?

Over the last six months, Open Democracy has been producing the Open Democracy Minute, a radio segment which runs on WNHN 94.7 in Concord. Each week, we update listeners about current democracy legislation, and try to explain complex issues like gerrymandering and ranked choice voting in 90 seconds. Each week's Open Democracy Minute can be found on the Open Democracy Minute page. Take a listen to this week's segment!

Upcoming Events

Film: "Dark Money," Nashua

This award-winning political thriller examines one of the greatest threats to American democracy; the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections and elected officials.

The film follows an intrepid local journalist working to expose the real-life impacts of the US Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. Through this gripping story, DARK MONEY uncovers the shocking and vital truth of how American elections are bought and sold. There will be a panel discussion following the film

The movie is free to attend, and is sponsored by Open Democracy and the League of Women Voters, Nashua. It will be held at the Nashua Public Library, 2 Court Street, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. RSVP here, and contact Joan Emus with any questions.·

Films: "Legalize Democracy" & "The Story of Citizens United"

We the People - Mount Washington Valley cordially invite you to cookies and conversation about corporate personhood and what you can do about it. We will show two videos, The Story of Citizens United from the Story of Stuff Project, and Legalize Democracy from Move to Amend. The first show will be Tuesday, June 18, at 6:00 pm at the Conway Public Library, 15 Greenwood, Ave, Conway, followed by a Saturday matinee June 22 at 3:00 pm.

Have you heard?

Over the last six months, Open Democracy has been been producing the Open Democracy Minute, a radio segment which runs on WNHN 94.7 in Concord. Each week, we update listeners about current democracy legislation, and try to explain complex issues like gerrymandering and ranked choice voting in 90 seconds. Each week's Open Democracy Minute can be found on the Open Democracy Minute page. Take a listen to this week's segment!

LEGISLATION WE'RE WATCHING THIS TERM

For updates and descriptions of the other important democracy legislation this session, click on the links below.

Public funding

Redistricting and ending gerrymandering

Campaign reform

Money in politics

Questions? Want to Help?

Olivia Zink: olivia@opendemocracy.me; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: rick.bourdon@gmail.com; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: Brian@Beihl.org (603) 620-8300 (cell)

It took 8 years, 11 bills, and the efforts of hundreds of dedicated legislators and volunteer activists to get a bill to the governor's desk to neuter the Citizens United decision. If it passes the NH Senate on Thursday and is signed into law, HB 504 would direct our congressional delegation to call for a U.S. Constitutional amendment to address money in politics and gerrymandering.

It would make our state the 20^th to call for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to end Citizens United. The bill is short and somewhat general, but voices what many voters feel should be done:

“AN ACT relative to election-related amendments to the United States Constitution.

 Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1  Amendment to the United States Constitution.

I.  The general court hereby calls upon the United States Congress to support a constitutional amendment containing the following language:

"Section I.  Congress and State Legislatures shall regulate the role of money in elections and governance to ensure transparency, prevent corruption, and protect against the buying of access to or influence over representatives.  No such regulation shall be deemed in violation of freedom of speech rights in the Constitution of the United States or its Amendments.

Section II.  Legislative districts or districting plans shall not intentionally or unduly favor or disfavor any political party.  Within twelve months of ratification, all federal and state district lines shall be redrawn to conform hereto."

II.  Within 6 months of the effective date of this section, the general court shall hold one public hearing to be attended by 6 members of the house of representatives, 3 from each the 2 largest parties, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, and 2 members of the senate, one from each the 2 largest parties, appointed by the president of the senate to record public comments on such an amendment, to be forwarded to New Hampshire's congressional delegation along with the notification of the passage of this act.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.”

It's likely that HB 504 will pass with support of Democrats and some courageous, corruption-fighting Republicans. But it has little support from Republicans like Rep. Al Baldasaro in the NH House or the Senate, who attempted to table the bill on “violation of free speech” grounds on the House floor.

For many party leaders and politicians on both sides--and the donors who fund them--money equals political power. The loss of that power means they have fewer ways to win the election and stay in power. It takes a lot of money to get elected governor or U.S. Senator. They'll let go of unlimited campaign money when it's pried out of their cold dead hands.

Voters in 82 communities have already shouted to the legislature and governor by passing petitioned warrant articles calling for a U.S. Constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. Many of those legislators are listening, with more Democracy bills in the session than in any legislature in a decade.

Have you called or written to your representatives, your senator, or the Governor?

We CAN do this. The time is NOW!

HB 504 Call for U.S. Constitutional Amendment Scheduled for June 6 Full Senate Vote

HB 504 legislation calls on the U.S. Congress to support a constitutional amendment which allows Congress and state legislators to regulate money in elections and lobbying, and to require nonpartisan redistricting of voting districts, doing away with gerrymandering. It also calls for a public hearing about the amendment. Supported by ODA

HB 706 Returns to House Committee June 11,
Full House, June 13, to Senate's Amendment

Last week's New Hampshire Democracy Report mentioned that we were inches from the Governor's desk with the HB 706 independent redistricting bill. Because the amendment to the bill took place in the Senate, the bill had to return to the House for concurrence.  At the discretion of the originating committee's chair, it can either go directly to the House floor, or go though the originating committee first. Due to the extent of the amendment, it is returning on June 11 to the House Elections Law Committee, then will be brought to the House floor on June 13. It's not too late to write a letter, an email, or a letter to the editor, or make a phone call to your NH House Representatives and Governor Sununu. Supported by ODA.

Will the Sleazy Dark Money LLC Loophole be Closed? SB 156 Vote Wednesday on the House Floor

Big money donors use LLCs to work around the limits to individual campaign donations. Creating an LLC allows a donor or group of donors to give anonymously to the LLC in unlimited amounts, but the only name that reported to the Secretary of State is “The Freedom & Justice Alliance,” for an example. Because of Citizens United, amounts can't be limited, but SB 156 seeks to make those donations public information, including both the name of the donor (or partner in the LLC) and the amount of money contributed from that donor. Opponents to this bill are arguing that this disclosure would scare off business coming into New Hampshire, and votes for this bill have been along mostly party lines in the Senate and in House Election Law. The full House votes this Wednesday after 1 p.m., or possibly Thursday after 10 a.m. Supported by ODA.

House Likely to Endorse Ban of Ratepayer Money for Lobbying

SB 206 would prevent public utilities from passing on to customers some of their costs for lobbying and other political activity. In sending the bill on to the House, the vote was 24-0 in the Senate, and the House Election Law committee concurred, endorsing it 18-0 in a nonpartisan vote, but the bill won only by a 10-9 margin in the House Science, Technology and Energy committee. Supported by ODA

SB 105 Inaugural Committee Bill Expected to Pass in June 5 Vote

SB 105 cleared House Election Law with a 20-0 ought to pass recommendation, and has been added to the House “consent” calendar, all but assuring its passage. The bill tightens regulations for donors to inaugural committees, limiting maximum donations to $10,000, and requires receipts for money dispersed to family members – a response to questionable payments made to Governor Sununu's family members and campaign insiders. As a consent calendar bill, it come up Wednesday, shortly after lunch.
 

Voting Rights “Domicile” Bill HB 105 Passes Senate 14-10

HB 105 rolls back last year's restrictive and controversial SB 3 narrow definition of “domiciled” voters, affecting students, employees posted to New Hampshire and other medium-term residents. The bill has moved forward on strict party line votes in both the House & Senate. Governor Sununu is unlikely to sign the bill, given the partisan ranker surrounding last year's bill. Supported by ODA through its allies

Action on other bills from last week's sessions:

HB 531, a bill permitting unrelated caregivers to deliver absentee ballots on behalf of voters who reside in nursing homes or assisted living facilities as well as those who are being cared for at home, passed on a voice vote in the Senate.

HB 315 was amended during the process to allow the Secretary of State to participate in a database to identify voting fraud, but puts safeguards in place for use of voter data. The bill definitively pulls New Hampshire out of the infamous Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck program and its notorious inaccuracies and use for voter suppression. Just like it's vote in committee, the full Senate vote passed along party lines, 14-10.

Another voting rights bill, HB 611 passed along party lines as well, 13-11. The bill allows voters to vote by absentee ballot, no matter the reason. Current law restricts the circumstances under which an absentee ballot can be cast. Senate President Donna Soucy was the lone Democrat to vote against the bill.

The Senate passed HB 651, which would allow the use of campaign funds for child care expenses, 15-9. The bill was amended but was recommended 20-0 in House Election Law, and passed the House on a voice vote.

UPCOMING HEARINGS & COMMITTEE VOTES

Red = Open Democracy Action Priority Bill

With the term winding down, this appears to be one of the last democracy-related committee meetings for the summer, but no less an important one. Note that it's a work session, not a hearing, and will include a review and hopefully an endorsement of the amended HB 706.

TUESDAY, JUNE 11

ELECTION LAW, Room 308, LOB

10:00 a.m. Full committee work session to review senate amendments.

There are no hearings on Democracy bills in the New Hampshire Senate this week.

THIS WEEK'S SESSIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE

The Senate will meet in session Thursday, June 6 at 10 a.m. in Senate chambers. The House will meet June 5 at 1 p.m., again Thursday, June 6 at 10 a.m., and the following week, Thursday, June 13, 10 a.m.

This week, the Senate consider:

HB 106, restores many of the provisions on voting for students and medium-term workers rolled back in last year's SB 3. Supported by ODA through its allies.

HB 504, proposes a U.S. Constitutional amendment to allow the regulating money in politics and requires fair redistricting. Supported by ODA through its allies.

HB 556, allows municipalities to process absentee ballots prior to election day.

The House will vote on these Democracy bills this Wednesday or Thursday, June 5 or 6:

SB 105, tightens regulations for donors to inaugural committees, limiting maximum donations to $10,000, and requires receipts for money dispersed to family members

SB 66, bars candidates for the offices of Secretary of State, State Treasurer and any office voted upon by the New Hampshire General Court from making a political contribution to anyone running for public office.

SB 156 closes the LLC Loophole, making donors and partners to LLCs disclose the amounts and identities to the state in an attempt to shine a light on dark money. Supported by ODA.

“Dear Governor Sununu . . .”

HB 706 should be in the Governor's hands June 13. Send a postal letter now and ask him to sign HB 706! Remind him that in the big picture, both parties benefit from a level playing field, and more importantly, New Hampshire voters benefit from having sensible representation, not gerrymandering.

Governor Christopher T. Sununu, Office of the Governor, State House, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301.

Have you geard?

Over the last six months, Open Democracy has been been producing the Open Democracy Minute, a radio segment which runs on WNHN 94.7 in Concord. Each week, we update listeners about current democracy legislation, and try to explain complex issues like gerrymandering and ranked choice voting in 90 seconds. Each week's Open Democracy Minute can be found on the Open Democracy Minute page. Take a listen to this week's segment!

LEGISLATION WE'RE WATCHING THIS TERM

For updates and descriptions of the other important democracy legislation this session, click on the links below.

Public funding

Redistricting and ending gerrymandering

Campaign reform

Money in politics

Questions? Want to Help?

Olivia Zink: olivia@opendemocracy.me; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: rick.bourdon@gmail.com; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: Brian@Beihl.org (603) 620-8300 (cell)